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| Genre: | Animation - Family |
| Year: | 2000 |
| Rating: | G |
| Length: | 1 Hour 24 Minutes |
| Cast: | Peter Lord, Nick Park, Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha |
A coop full of tender chickens attempt to fly for freedom in the newest claymation creation from Nick Park and Peter Lord, whose U.K.-based Aardman Animations is known for its wildly popular Wallace & Gromit series. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape the chicken farm of vicious Mrs. Tweedy (voiced by Miranda Richardson), a snappy hen named Ginger (Julia Sawalha) thinks she finds the answer to her prayers in the form of a Yankee Doodle Dandy named Rocky (Mel Gibson), who can supposedly fly. But can the charming rooster save the hens from their imminent doom -- being diced for pot pies? Intelligent execution of a witty story makes this farmhouse allegory vastly entertaining, and it's enhanced all the more by a colorful cast of characters and clever references to films like The Great Escape. Simultaneously humorous and touching, Chicken Run's visual and technical magic is wholly cinematic in scope, a perfect example of the animation niche Aardman has carved for itself. Although not always the fun-filled children's romp you would expect -- several allusions to the tragedies of World War II are made -- Chicken Run still strikes home on many levels. And after only one viewing, you may think twice before eating another chicken pot pie. Patricia Kim O'Cone
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